Method For Creating A Garment

ABSTRACT

A method of creating a garment. The method comprises the steps of: (a) capturing an image of a person using a camera; (b) selecting a card having a depiction of a garment and encoded information relating to the garment depicted; (c) optically reading the encoded information on the card; (d) manipulating the captured image in accordance with the encoded information; (e) generating print data for garment pieces using the encoded information and the manipulated image; (f) communicating the print data to a garment fabric printer; and (g) printing outlines of garment pieces and a decorative finish on to a surface of a bolt of fabric.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/525,862 filed Sep. 25, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/326,308 filed Dec. 23, 2002 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,759 filed on Jul. 10, 1998 (now abandoned), the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The following co-pending US patent applications, identified by their US patent application serial numbers (USSN), were filed simultaneously to the present application on Jul. 10, 1998, and are hereby incorporated by cross-reference

6,750,901 6,476,863 6,788,336 6,322,181 6,597,817 6,227,648 6,727,948 6,690,419 6,727,951 6,196,541 6,195,150 6,362,868 6,831,681 6,431,669 6,362,869 6,472,052 6,356,715 6,894,694 6,636,216 6,366,693 6,329,990 6,459,495 6,137,500 6,690,416 7,050,143 6,398,328 7,110,024 6,431,704 6,879,341 6,415,054 6,665,454 6,542,645 6,486,886 6,381,361 6,317,192 6,850,274 6,646,757 6,624,848 6,357,135 6,271,931 6,353,772 6,106,147 6,665,008 6,304,291 6,305,770 6,289,262 6,315,200 6,217,165 6,566,858 6,331,946 6,246,970 6,442,525 6,786,420 6,350,023 6,318,849 6,227,652 6,213,588 6,213,589 6,231,163 6,247,795 6,394,581 6,244,691 6,257,704 6,416,168 6,220,694 6,257,705 6,247,794 6,234,610 6,247,793 6,264,306 6,241,342 6,247,792 6,264,307 6,254,220 6,234,611 6,302,528 6,283,582 6,239,821 6,338,547 6,247,796 6,557,977 6,390,603 6,362,843 6,293,653 6,312,107 6,227,653 6,234,609 6,238,040 6,188,415 6,227,654 6,209,989 6,247,791 6,336,710 6,217,153 6,416,167 6,243,113 6,283,581 6,247,790 6,260,953 6,267,469 6,224,780 6,235,212 6,280,643 6,284,147 6,214,244 6,071,750 6,267,905 6,251,298 6,258,285 6,225,138 6,241,904 6,299,786 6,866,789 6,231,773 6,190,931 6,248,249 6,290,862 6,241,906 6,565,762 6,241,905 6,451,216 6,231,772 6,274,056 6,290,861 6,248,248 6,306,671 6,331,258 6,110,754 6,294,101 6,416,679 6,264,849 6,254,793 6,245,246 6,855,264 6,235,211 6,491,833 6,264,850 6,258,284 6,312,615 6,228,668 6,180,427 6,171,875 6,267,904 6,245,247 6,315,914 6,231,148 6,293,658 6,614,560 6,238,033 6,312,070 6,238,111 6,378,970 6,196,739 6,270,182 6,152,619 6,087,638 6,340,222 6,041,600 6,299,300 6,067,797 6,286,935 6,044,646 6,382,769

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a Garment Design and Printing System.

The present invention further relates to the creation of fabrics and garments utilising automated apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of creative judgements are made when any garment is created. Firstly, there is the shape and styling of the garment and additionally, there is the fabric colours and style. Often, a fashion designer will try many different alternatives and may even attempt to draw the final fashion product before creating the finished garment.

Such a process is generally unsatisfactory in providing a rapid and flexible turn around of the garments and also providing rapid judgement of the final appearance of a fashion product on a person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative form for analysing the look of garments and for their creation. A further object of the present invention is to provide for automatic fabric creation.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided A garment creation system comprising:

an expected image creation system including an image sensor device and an image display device, said image creation system mapping portions of an arbitrary image sensed by said image sensor device onto a garment and outputting on said display device a depiction of said garment;

a garment fabric printer adapted to be interconnected to said image creation system for printing out corresponding pieces of said garment including said mapped portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic operation of an Artcam device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a series of Artcards for use with the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the algorithm utilised by the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the outputting of printed fabrics produced in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/113,060 entitled “Digital Instant Printing Camera with Image Processing Capability” (Docket ART01) filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in an output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power provided by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses an Artcam system as indicated 1 in FIG. 1. The Artcam system 1 relies on an Artcam 2 which takes Artcards 3 as an input. The Artcard 3 includes encoded information for manipulation of an image scene 4 so as to produce an output photo 5 which contains substantial manipulation in accordance with the instruction of Artcard 3. The Artcards 3 are designed to be extremely inexpensive and contain on one surface the encoding information and on the other surface a depiction of the likely effect which will be produced by the Artcard 3 when inserted in Artcam 2.

In accordance with the method of the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a large number of Artcards 3 are prepared and distributed in packs 10. Each pack 10 relates to clothing wear of a specific size and includes images eg. 11 of models having clothing apparel 12 on to which an image captured by the camera will be mapped. The mapping can be to different items of apparel on different Artcards 3. One form of mapping algorithm is as illustrated 20 in FIG. 3 wherein the input image 4 is first warped 21 utilising a warp map which maps the image to a repeating tiling pattern that produces attractive warping effects. Of course, many other forms of algorithms could be provided for producing an attractive form of material with the algorithm being provided on Artcard 3 (FIG. 1).

Next, a second warp 22 is provided for warping the output of first warp map 21 onto the specific model image in the Artcard. Therefore, warp 22 will be Artcard specific. The result can then be output 23 for printing as an art photo 5. Hence, a user is able to point an Artcam 2 at a design image 4 and produce art photo 5 which has a manipulated version of the image based upon a model's item of fashion apparel or garment. This process can be continued until a desirable result is produced.

Next, as indicated in FIG. 4, when a final selection has been made, the Artcam 2 can be connected by its USB port, as illustrated at 30, to a fabric printer 34 which can comprise an ink jet fabric printer and associated drive controller electronics etc. The printer 34 comprises a printhead 50 having a width corresponding to the width of a bolt of fabric. Either the Artcam 2 or the ink jet printer 34 can be programmed to print out on fabric 35 the garment pieces eg. 36 having on the surface 37 thereof the original warped image so as to produce a garment corresponding to that depicted by the model on the Artcard.

The output fabric can include tab portions eg. 38 for alignment and border regions eg. 39 in addition to instructions 40 for joining the garment pieces together. Preferably, the output program includes providing for warp matching of border regions so as to present a continuous appearance on the garment cross seams. Additionally, a user interface could be provided for utilising the same Artcard with many different output sizes so as to taken into account different shaped bodies. By utilisation of Artcam technology, a system can be provided for customised production of garments and rapid depiction of the likely results by means of utilisation of the Artcam device 2.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal ink jet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewidth print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new ink jet technologies have been created. The target features include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-five different ink jet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the list under the heading Cross References to Related Applications.

The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallest print head designed is covered in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/112,764, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.

Tables of Drop-On-Demand Ink Jets

The present invention is useful in the field of digital printing, in particular, ink jet printing. A number of patent applications in this field were filed simultaneously and incorporated by cross reference.

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual ink jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of ink jet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of ink jet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable ink jet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain ink jet types have been investigated in detail. Forty-five such inkjet types were filed simultaneously to the present application.

Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from these forty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the II axes. Most of the forty-five examples can be made into ink jet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available ink jet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The simultaneously filed patent applications by the present applicant are listed by USSN numbers. In some cases, a print technology may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications for the ink jet technologies include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal An Large force High power Canon Bubblejet bubble electrothermal generated Ink carrier 1979 Endo et al GB heater heats the Simple limited to patent 2,007,162 ink to above construction water Xerox heater-in-pit boiling point, No moving Low efficiency 1990 Hawkins et al transferring parts High U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 significant heat Fast temperatures Hewlett-Packard to the aqueous operation required TIJ 1982 Vaught et ink. A bubble Small chip High al U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 nucleates and area required mechanical quickly forms, for actuator stress expelling the ink. Unusual The efficiency of materials the process is required low, with Large drive typically less transistors than 0.05% of Cavitation the electrical causes actuator energy being failure transformed into Kogation kinetic energy of reduces bubble the drop. formation Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezo- A piezoelectric Low power Very large area Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. electric crystal such as consumption required for 3,946,398 lead lanthanum Many ink actuator Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. zirconate (PZT) types can be Difficult to 3,683,212 is electrically used integrate with 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. activated, and Fast electronics 3,747,120 either expands, operation High voltage Epson Stylus shears, or bends High drive Tektronix to apply pressure efficiency transistors USSN 09/112,803 to the ink, required ejecting drops. Full page width print heads impractical due to actuator size Requires electrical poling in high field strengths during manufacture Electro- An electric field Low power Low maximum Seiko Epson, Usui strictive is used to consumption strain (approx. et all JP 253401/96 activate Many ink 0.01%) USSN 09/112,803 electrostriction types can be Large area in relaxor used required for materials such as Low thermal actuator due to lead lanthanum expansion low strain zirconate titanate Electric field Response (PLZT) or lead strength speed is magnesium required marginal (~10 μs) niobate (PMN). (approx. 3.5 V/μm) High voltage can be drive generated transistors without required difficulty Full page width Does not print heads require impractical due electrical to actuator size poling Ferro- An electric field Low power Difficult to USSN 09/112,803 electric is used to induce consumption integrate with a phase Many ink electronics transition types can be Unusual between the used materials such antiferroelectric Fast as PLZSnT are (AFE) and operation required ferroelectric (FE) (<1 μs) Actuators phase. Relatively require a large Perovskite high area materials such as longitudinal tin modified lead strain lanthanum High zirconate titanate efficiency (PLZSnT) Electric field exhibit large strength of strains of up to around 3 V/μm 1% associated can be with the AFE to readily FE phase provided transition. Electro- Conductive Low power Difficult to USSN 09/112,787; static plates are consumption operate 09/112,803 plates separated by a Many ink electrostatic compressible or types can be devices in an fluid dielectric used aqueous (usually air). Fast environment Upon application operation The of a voltage, the electrostatic plates attract actuator will each other and normally need displace ink, to be separated causing drop from the ink ejection. The Very large area conductive plates required to may be in a achieve high comb or forces honeycomb High voltage structure, or drive stacked to transistors may increase the be required surface area and Full page width therefore the print heads are force. not competitive due to actuator size Electro- A strong electric Low current High voltage 1989 Saito et al, static field is applied to consumption required U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 pull on the ink, Low May be 1989 Miura et al, ink whereupon temperature damaged by U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 electrostatic sparks due to Tone-jet attraction air breakdown accelerates the Required field ink towards the strength print medium. increases as the drop size decreases High voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An Low power Complex USSN 09/113,084; magnet electromagnet consumption fabrication 09/112,779 electro- directly attracts a Many ink Permanent magnetic permanent types can be magnetic magnet, used material such displacing ink Fast as Neodymium and causing drop operation Iron Boron ejection. Rare High (NdFeB) earth magnets efficiency required. with a field Easy High local strength around extension currents 1 Tesla can be from single required used. Examples nozzles to Copper are: Samarium page width metalization Cobalt (SaCo) print heads should be used and magnetic for long materials in the electromigration neodymium iron lifetime and boron family low resistivity (NdFeB, Pigmented inks NdDyFeBNb, are usually NdDyFeB, etc) infeasible Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540 K) Soft A solenoid Low power Complex USSN 09/112,751; magnetic induced a consumption fabrication 09/113,097; core magnetic field in Many ink Materials not 09/113,066; electro- a soft magnetic types can be usually present 09/112,779; magnetic core or yoke used in a CMOS fab 09/113,061; fabricated from a Fast such as NiFe, 09/112,816; ferrous material operation CoNiFe, or 09/112,772; such as High CoFe are 09/112,815 electroplated efficiency required iron alloys such Easy High local as CoNiFe [1], extension currents CoFe, or NiFe from single required alloys. Typically, nozzles to Copper the soft magnetic page width metalization material is in two print heads should be used parts, which are for long normally held electromigration apart by a spring. lifetime and When the low resistivity solenoid is Electroplating actuated, the two is required parts attract, High saturation displacing the flux density is ink. required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Lorenz The Lorenz force Low power Force acts as a USSN 09/113,099; force acting on a consumption twisting 09/113,077; current carrying Many ink motion 09/112,818; wire in a types can be Typically, only 09/112,819 magnetic field is used a quarter of the utilized. Fast solenoid length This allows the operation provides force magnetic field to High in a useful be supplied efficiency direction externally to the Easy High local print head, for extension currents example with from single required rare earth nozzles to Copper permanent page width metalization magnets. print heads should be used Only the current for long carrying wire electromigration need be lifetime and fabricated on the low resistivity print-head, Pigmented inks simplifying are usually materials infeasible requirements. Magneto- The actuator Many ink Force acts as a Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. striction uses the giant types can be twisting 4,032,929 magnetostrictive used motion USSN 09/113,121 effect of Fast Unusual materials such as operation materials such Terfenol-D (an Easy as Terfenol-D alloy of terbium, extension are required dysprosium and from single High local iron developed at nozzles to currents the Naval page width required Ordnance print heads Copper Laboratory, High force is metalization hence Ter-Fe- available should be used NOL). For best for long efficiency, the electromigration actuator should lifetime and be pre-stressed low resistivity to approx. 8 MPa. Pre-stressing may be required Surface Ink under Low power Requires Silverbrook, EP tension positive pressure consumption supplementary 0771 658 A2 and reduction is held in a Simple force to effect related patent nozzle by construction drop separation applications surface tension. No unusual Requires The surface materials special ink tension of the ink required in surfactants is reduced below fabrication Speed may be the bubble High limited by threshold, efficiency surfactant causing the ink Easy properties to egress from extension the nozzle. from single nozzles to page width print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity Simple Requires Silverbrook, EP reduction is locally construction supplementary 0771 658 A2 and reduced to select No unusual force to effect related patent which drops are materials drop separation applications to be ejected. A required in Requires viscosity fabrication special ink reduction can be Easy viscosity achieved extension properties electrothermally from single High speed is with most inks, nozzles to difficult to but special inks page width achieve can be print heads Requires engineered for a oscillating ink 100:1 viscosity pressure reduction. A high temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic Can operate Complex drive 1993 Hadimioglu et wave is without a circuitry al, EUP 550,192 generated and nozzle plate Complex 1993 Elrod et al, focussed upon fabrication EUP 572,220 the drop ejection Low efficiency region. Poor control of drop position Poor control of drop volume Thermo- An actuator Low power Efficient USSN 09/112,802; elastic which relies consumption aqueous 09/112,778; bend upon differential Many ink operation 09/112,815; actuator thermal types can be requires a 09/113,096; expansion upon used thermal 09/113,068; Joule heating is Simple insulator on the 09/113,095; used. planar hot side 09/112,808; fabrication Corrosion 09/112,809; Small chip prevention can 09/112,780; area required be difficult 09/113,083; for each Pigmented inks 09/112,793; actuator may be 09/112,794; Fast infeasible, as 09/113,128; operation pigment 09/113,127; High particles may 09/112,756; efficiency jam the bend 09/112,755; CMOS actuator 09/112,754; compatible 09/112,811; voltages and 09/112,812; currents 09/112,813; Standard 09/112,814; MEMS 09/112,764; processes can 09/112,765; be used 09/112,767; Easy 09/112,768 extension from single nozzles to page width print heads High A material with a High force Requires USSN 09/112,778; CTE very high can be special 09/112,815; thermo- coefficient of generated material (e.g. 09/113,096; elastic thermal Three PTFE) 09/113,095; actuator expansion (CTE) methods of Requires a 09/112,808; such as PTFE PTFE 09/112,809; polytetrafluoroethylene deposition deposition 09/112,780; (PTFE) is are under process, which 09/113,083; used. As high development: is not yet 09/112,793; CTE materials chemical standard in 09/112,794; are usually non- vapor ULSI fabs 09/113,128; conductive, a deposition PTFE 09/113,127; heater fabricated (CVD), spin deposition 09/112,756; from a coating, and cannot be 09/112,807; conductive evaporation followed with 09/112,806; material is PTFE is a high 09/112,820 incorporated. A candidate for temperature 50 μm long low dielectric (above 350° C.) PTFE bend constant processing actuator with insulation in Pigmented inks polysilicon ULSI may be heater and 15 mW Very low infeasible, as power input power pigment can provide 180 μN consumption particles may force and 10 μm Many ink jam the bend deflection. types can be actuator Actuator motions used include: Simple Bend planar Push fabrication Buckle Small chip Rotate area required for each actuator Fast operation High efficiency CMOS compatible voltages and currents Easy extension from single nozzles to page width Conductive A polymer with High force Requires USSN 09/113,083 polymer a high can be special thermo- coefficient of generated materials elastic thermal Very low development actuator expansion (such power (High CTE as PTFE) is consumption conductive doped with Many ink polymer) conducting types can be Requires a substances to used PTFE increase its Simple deposition conductivity to planar process, which about 3 orders of fabrication is not yet magnitude below Small chip standard in that of copper. area required ULSI fabs The conducting for each PTFE polymer expands actuator deposition when resistively Fast cannot be heated. operation followed with Examples of High high conducting efficiency temperature dopants include: CMOS (above 350° C.) Carbon compatible processing nanotubes voltages and Evaporation Metal fibers currents and CVD Conductive Easy deposition polymers such as extension techniques doped from single cannot be used polythiophene nozzles to Pigmented inks Carbon granules page width may be print heads infeasible, as pigment particles may jam the bend actuator Shape A shape memory High force is Fatigue limits USSN 09/113,122 memory alloy such as available maximum alloy TiNi (also (stresses of number of known as Nitinol- hundreds of cycles Nickel MPa) Low strain Titanium alloy Large strain (1%) is developed at the is available required to Naval Ordnance (more than extend fatigue Laboratory) is 3%) resistance thermally High Cycle rate switched corrosion limited by heat between its weak resistance removal martensitic state Simple Requires and its high construction unusual stiffness austenic Easy materials state. The shape extension (TiNi) of the actuator in from single The latent heat its martensitic nozzles to of state is deformed page width transformation relative to the print heads must be austenic shape. Low voltage provided The shape operation High current change causes operation ejection of a Requires pre- drop. stressing to distort the martensitic state Linear Linear magnetic Linear Requires USSN 09/113,061 Magnetic actuators include Magnetic unusual Actuator the Linear actuators can semiconductor Induction be materials such Actuator (LIA), constructed as soft Linear with high magnetic Permanent thrust, long alloys (e.g. Magnet travel, and CoNiFe) Synchronous high Some varieties Actuator efficiency also require (LPMSA), using planar permanent Linear semiconduct magnetic Reluctance or fabrication materials such Synchronous techniques as Neodymium Actuator Long iron boron (LRSA), Linear actuator (NdFeB) Switched travel is Requires Reluctance available complex multi- Actuator Medium phase drive (LSRA), and the force is circuitry Linear Stepper available High current Actuator (LSA). Low voltage operation operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Actuator This is the Simple Drop Thermal ink jet directly simplest mode of operation repetition rate Piezoelectric ink jet pushes operation: the No external is usually USSN 09/112,751; ink actuator directly fields limited to 09/112,787; supplies required around 10 kHz. 09/112,802; sufficient kinetic Satellite However, this 09/112,803; energy to expel drops can be is not 09/113,097; the drop. The avoided if fundamental 09/113,099; drop must have a drop velocity to the method, 09/113,084; sufficient is less than 4 m/s but is related 09/112,778; velocity to Can be to the refill 09/113,077; overcome the efficient, method 09/113,061; surface tension. depending normally used 09/112,816; upon the All of the drop 09/112,819; actuator used kinetic energy 09/113,095; must be 09/112,809; provided by 09/112,780; the actuator 09/113,083; Satellite drops 09/113,121; usually form 09/113,122; if drop 09/112,793; velocity is 09/112,794; greater than 09/113,128; 4.5 m/s 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820 Proximity The drops to be Very simple Requires close Silverbrook, EP printed are print head proximity 0771 658 A2 and selected by some fabrication between the related patent manner (e.g. can be used print head and applications thermally The drop the print induced surface selection media or tension reduction means does transfer roller of pressurized not need to May require ink). Selected provide the two print drops are energy heads printing separated from required to alternate rows the ink in the separate the of the image nozzle by drop from the Monolithic contact with the nozzle color print print medium or heads are a transfer roller. difficult Electro- The drops to be Very simple Requires very Silverbrook, EP static printed are print head high 0771 658 A2 and pull on selected by some fabrication electrostatic related patent ink manner (e.g. can be used field applications thermally The drop Electrostatic Tone-Jet induced surface selection field for small tension reduction means does nozzle sizes is of pressurized not need to above air ink). Selected provide the breakdown drops are energy Electrostatic separated from required to field may the ink in the separate the attract dust nozzle by a drop from the strong electric nozzle field. Magnetic The drops to be Very simple Requires Silverbrook, EP pull on printed are print head magnetic ink 0771 658 A2 and ink selected by some fabrication Ink colors related patent manner (e.g. can be used other than applications thermally The drop black are induced surface selection difficult tension reduction means does Requires very of pressurized not need to high magnetic ink). Selected provide the fields drops are energy separated from required to the ink in the separate the nozzle by a drop from the strong magnetic nozzle field acting on the magnetic ink. Shutter The actuator High speed Moving parts USSN 09/112,818; moves a shutter (>50 kHz) are required 09/112,815; to block ink flow operation can Requires ink 09/112,808 to the nozzle. be achieved pressure The ink pressure due to modulator is pulsed at a reduced refill Friction and multiple of the time wear must be drop ejection Drop timing considered frequency. can be very Stiction is accurate possible The actuator energy can be very low Shuttered The actuator Actuators Moving parts USSN 09/113,066; grill moves a shutter with small are required 09/112,772; to block ink flow travel can be Requires ink 09/113,096; through a grill to used pressure 09/113,068 the nozzle. The Actuators modulator shutter with small Friction and movement need force can be wear must be only be equal to used considered the width of the High speed Stiction is grill holes. (>50 kHz) possible operation can be achieved Pulsed A pulsed Extremely Requires an USSN 09/112,779 magnetic magnetic field low energy external pull on attracts an ‘ink operation is pulsed ink pusher’ at the possible magnetic field pusher drop ejection No heat Requires frequency. An dissipation special actuator controls problems materials for a catch, which both the prevents the ink actuator and pusher from the ink pusher moving when a Complex drop is not to be construction ejected.

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator Simplicity of Drop ejection Most ink jets, directly fires the construction energy must including ink drop, and Simplicity of be supplied by piezoelectric and there is no operation individual thermal bubble. external field or Small nozzle USSN 09/112,751; other mechanism physical size actuator 09/112,787; required. 09/112,802; 09/112,803; 09/113,097; 09/113,084; 09/113,078; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,816; 09/113,095; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820 Oscillating The ink pressure Oscillating Requires Silverbrook, EP ink oscillates, ink pressure external ink 0771 658 A2 and pressure providing much can provide a pressure related patent (including of the drop refill pulse, oscillator applications acoustic ejection energy. allowing Ink pressure USSN 09/113,066; stimulation) The actuator higher phase and 09/112,818; selects which operating amplitude 09/112,772; drops are to be speed must be 09/112,815; fired by The actuators carefully 09/113,096; selectively may operate controlled 09/113,068; blocking or with much Acoustic 09/112,808 enabling nozzles. lower energy reflections in The ink pressure Acoustic the ink oscillation may lenses can be chamber must be achieved by used to focus be designed vibrating the the sound on for print head, or the nozzles preferably by an actuator in the ink supply. Media The print head is Low power Precision Silverbrook, EP proximity placed in close High assembly 0771 658 A2 and proximity to the accuracy required related patent print medium. Simple print Paper fibers applications Selected drops head may cause protrude from construction problems the print head Cannot print further than on rough unselected drops, substrates and contact the print medium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer Drops are High Bulky Silverbrook, EP roller printed to a accuracy Expensive 0771 658 A2 and transfer roller Wide range Complex related patent instead of of print construction applications straight to the substrates Tektronix hot melt print medium. A can be used piezoelectric ink jet transfer roller Ink can be Any of USSN can also be used dried on the 09/112,751; for proximity transfer roller 09/112,787; drop separation. 09/112,802; 09/112,803; 09/113,097; 09/113,099; 09/113,084; 09/113,066; 09/112,778; 09/112,779; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112.768: Electro- An electric field Low power Field strength Silverbrook, EP static is used to Simple print required for 0771 658 A2 and accelerate head separation of related patent selected drops construction small drops is applications towards the print near or above Tone-Jet medium. air breakdown Direct A magnetic field Low power Requires Silverbrook, EP magnetic is used to Simple print magnetic ink 0771 658 A2 and field accelerate head Requires related patent selected drops of construction strong applications magnetic ink magnetic field towards the print medium. Cross The print head is Does not Requires USSN 09/113,099; magnetic placed in a require external 09/112,819 field constant magnetic magnet magnetic field. materials to Current The Lorenz force be integrated densities may in a current in the print be high, carrying wire is head resulting in used to move the manufacturing electromigration actuator. process problems Pulsed A pulsed Very low Complex print USSN 09/112,779 magnetic magnetic field is power head field used to operation is construction cyclically attract possible Magnetic a paddle, which Small print materials pushes on the head size required in ink. A small print head actuator moves a catch, which selectively prevents the paddle from moving.

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None No actuator Operational Many Thermal Bubble Ink mechanical simplicity actuator jet amplification is mechanisms USSN 09/112,751; used. The have 09/112,787; actuator directly insufficient 09/113,099; drives the drop travel, or 09/113,084; ejection process. insufficient 09/112,819; force, to 09/113,121; efficiently 09/113,122 drive the drop ejection process Differential An actuator Provides High stresses Piezoelectric expansion material expands greater travel are involved USSN 09/112,802; bend more on one side in a reduced Care must be 09/112,778; actuator than on the print head taken that the 09/112,815; other. The area materials do 09/113,096; expansion may not 09/113,068; be thermal, delaminate 09/113,095; piezoelectric, Residual 09/112,808; magnetostrictive, bend 09/112,809; or other resulting 09/112,780; mechanism. The from high 09/113,083; bend actuator temperature 09/112,793; converts a high or high stress 09/113,128; force low travel during 09/113,127; actuator formation 09/112,756; mechanism to 09/112,755; high travel, 09/112,754; lower force 09/112,811; mechanism. 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 109/112,820 Transient A trilayer bend Very good High stresses USSN 09/112,767; bend actuator where temperature are involved 09/112,768 actuator the two outside stability Care must be layers are High speed, taken that the identical. This as a new drop materials do cancels bend due can be fired not to ambient before heat delaminate temperature and dissipates residual stress. Cancels The actuator residual only responds to stress of transient heating formation of one side or the other. Reverse The actuator Better Fabrication USSN 09/113,097; spring loads a spring. coupling to complexity 09/113,077 When the the ink High stress in actuator is turned the spring off, the spring releases. This can reverse the force/distance curve of the actuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirements of the drop ejection. Actuator A series of thin Increased Increased Some piezoelectric stack actuators are travel fabrication ink jets stacked. This can Reduced complexity USSN 09/112,803 be appropriate drive voltage Increased where actuators possibility of require high short circuits electric field due to strength, such as pinholes electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. Multiple Multiple smaller Increases the Actuator USSN 09/113,061; actuators actuators are force forces may 09/112,818; used available not add 09/113,096; simultaneously from an linearly, 09/113,095; to move the ink. actuator reducing 09/112,809; Each actuator Multiple efficiency 09/112,794; need provide actuators can 09/112,807; only a portion of be positioned 09/112,806 the force to control ink required. flow accurately Linear A linear spring is Matches low Requires USSN 09/112,772 Spring used to travel print head transform a actuator with area for the motion with higher travel spring small travel and requirements high force into a Non-contact longer travel, method of lower force motion motion. transformation Coiled A bend actuator Increases Generally USSN 09/112,815; actuator is coiled to travel restricted to 09/112,808; provide greater Reduces chip planar 09/112,811; travel in a area implementations 09/112,812 reduced chip Planar due to area. implementations extreme are fabrication relatively difficulty in easy to other fabricate. orientations. Flexure A bend actuator Simple Care must be USSN 09/112,779; bend has a small means of taken not to 09/113,068; actuator region near the increasing exceed the 09/112,754 fixture point, travel of a elastic limit which flexes bend actuator in the flexure much more area readily than the Stress remainder of the distribution is actuator. The very uneven actuator flexing Difficult to is effectively accurately converted from model with an even coiling finite element to an angular analysis bend, resulting in greater travel of the actuator tip. Catch The actuator Very low Complex USSN 09/112,779 controls a small actuator construction catch. The catch energy Requires either enables or Very small external force disables actuator size Unsuitable movement of an for ink pusher that is pigmented controlled in a inks bulk manner. Gears Gears can be Low force, Moving parts USSN 09/112,818 used to increase low travel are required travel at the actuators can Several expense of be used actuator duration. Can be cycles are Circular gears, fabricated required rack and pinion, using More ratchets, and standard complex other gearing surface drive methods can be MEMS electronics used. processes Complex construction Friction, friction, and wear are possible Buckle A buckle plate Very fast Must stay S. Hirata et al, “An plate can be used to movement within elastic Ink-jet Head Using change a slow achievable limits of the Diaphragm actuator into a materials for Microactuator”, Proc. fast motion. It long device IEEE MEMS, February. can also convert life 1996, pp 418-423. a high force, low High stresses USSN 09/113,096; travel actuator involved 09/112,793 into a high Generally travel, medium high power force motion. requirement Tapered A tapered Linearizes Complex USSN 09/112,816 magnetic magnetic pole the magnetic construction pole can increase force/distance travel at the curve expense of force. Lever A lever and Matches low High stress USSN 09/112,755; fulcrum is used travel around the 09/112,813; to transform a actuator with fulcrum 09/112,814 motion with higher travel small travel and requirements high force into a Fulcrum area motion with has no linear longer travel and movement, lower force. The and can be lever can also used for a reverse the fluid seal direction of travel. Rotary The actuator is High Complex USSN 09/112,794 impeller connected to a mechanical construction rotary impeller. advantage Unsuitable A small angular The ratio of for deflection of the force to pigmented actuator results travel of the inks in a rotation of actuator can the impeller be matched vanes, which to the nozzle push the ink requirements against by varying stationary vanes the number and out of the of impeller nozzle. vanes Acoustic A refractive or No moving Large area 1993 Hadimioglu et lens diffractive (e.g. parts required al, EUP 550,192 zone plate) Only relevant 1993 Elrod et al, EUP acoustic lens is for acoustic 572,220 used to ink jets concentrate sound waves. Sharp A sharp point is Simple Difficult to Tone-jet conductive used to construction fabricate point concentrate an using electrostatic standard field. VLSI processes for a surface ejecting ink- jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Volume The volume of Simple High energy Hewlett-Packard expansion the actuator construction is typically Thermal Ink jet changes, pushing in the case of required to Canon Bubblejet the ink in all thermal ink achieve directions. jet volume expansion. This leads to thermal stress, cavitation, and kogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, The actuator Efficient High USSN 09/112,751; normal moves in a coupling to fabrication 09/112,787; to chip direction normal ink drops complexity 09/112,803; surface to the print head ejected may be 09/113,084; surface. The normal to the required to 09/113,077; nozzle is surface achieve 09/112,816 typically in the perpendicular line of motion movement. Parallel The actuator Suitable for Fabrication USSN 09/113,061; to chip moves parallel to planar complexity 09/112,818; surface the print head fabrication Friction 09/112,772; surface. Drop Stiction 09/112,754; ejection may still 09/112,811; be normal to the 09/112,812; surface. 09/112,813 Membrane An actuator with The effective Fabrication 1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No. push a high force but area of the complexity 4,459,601 small area is actuator Actuator size used to push a becomes the Difficulty of stiff membrane membrane integration in that is in contact area a VLSI with the ink. process Rotary The actuator Rotary levers Device USSN 09/113,097; causes the may be used complexity 09/113,066; rotation of some to increase May have 09/112,818; element, such a travel friction at a 09/112,794 grill or impeller Small chip pivot point area requirements Bend The actuator A very small Requires the 1970 Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. bends when change in actuator to be 3,946,398 energized. This dimensions made from at 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. may be due to can be least two 3,747,120 differential converted to distinct 09/112,802; thermal a large layers, or to 09/112,778; expansion, motion. have a 09/112,779; piezoelectric thermal 09/113,068; expansion, difference 09/112,780; magnetostriction, across the 09/113,083; or other form of actuator 09/113,121; relative 09/113,128; dimensional 09/113,127; change. 09/112,756; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812 Swivel The actuator Allows Inefficient USSN 09/113,099 swivels around a operation coupling to central pivot. where the net the ink This motion is linear force motion suitable where on the paddle there are is zero opposite forces Small chip applied to area opposite sides of requirements the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force. Straighten The actuator is Can be used Requires USSN 09/113,122; normally bent, with shape careful 09/112,755 and straightens memory balance of when energized. alloys where stresses to the austenic ensure that phase is the quiescent planar bend is accurate Double The actuator One actuator Difficult to USSN 09/112,813; bend bends in one can be used make the 09/112,814; direction when to power two drops ejected 09/112,764 one element is nozzles. by both bend energized, and Reduced chip directions bends the other size. identical. way when Not sensitive A small another element to ambient efficiency is energized. temperature loss compared to equivalent single bend actuators. Shear Energizing the Can increase Not readily 1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No. actuator causes a the effective applicable to 4,584,590 shear motion in travel of other actuator the actuator piezoelectric mechanisms material. actuators Radial The actuator Relatively High force 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. constriction squeezes an ink easy to required 3,683,212 reservoir, forcing fabricate Inefficient ink from a single Difficult to constricted nozzles from integrate with nozzle. glass tubing VLSI as processes macroscopic structures Coil/ A coiled actuator Easy to Difficult to USSN 09/112,815; uncoil uncoils or coils fabricate as a fabricate for 09/112,808; more tightly. The planar VLSI non-planar 09/112,811; motion of the process devices 09/112,812 free end of the Small area Poor out-of- actuator ejects required, plane the ink. therefore low stiffness cost Bow The actuator Can increase Maximum USSN 09/112,819; bows (or the speed of travel is 09/113,096; buckles) in the travel constrained 09/112,793 middle when Mechanically High force energized. rigid required Push- Two actuators The structure Not readily USSN 09/113,096 Pull control a shutter. is pinned at suitable for One actuator both ends, so ink jets pulls the shutter, has a high which and the other out-of-plane directly push pushes it. rigidity the ink Curl A set of Good fluid Design USSN 09/113,095; inwards actuators curl flow to the complexity 09/112,807 inwards to region behind reduce the the actuator volume of ink increases that they enclose. efficiency Curl A set of Relatively Relatively USSN 09/112,806 outwards actuators curl simple large chip outwards, construction area pressurizing ink in a chamber surrounding the actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiple vanes High High USSN 09/112,809 enclose a volume efficiency fabrication of ink. These Small chip complexity simultaneously area Not suitable rotate, reducing for the volume pigmented between the inks vanes. Acoustic The actuator The actuator Large area 1993 Hadimioglu et vibration vibrates at a high can be required for al, EUP 550,192 frequency. physically efficient 1993 Elrod et al, EUP distant from operation at 572,220 the ink useful frequencies Acoustic coupling and crosstalk Complex drive circuitry Poor control of drop volume and position None In various ink jet No moving Various other Silverbrook, EP 0771 designs the parts tradeoffs are 658 A2 and related actuator does not required to patent applications move. eliminate Tone-jet moving parts

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Surface This is the normal Fabrication Low speed Thermal ink jet tension way that ink jets simplicity Surface Piezoelectric ink jet are refilled. After Operational tension USSN-09/112,751; the actuator is simplicity force 09/113,084; energized, it relatively 09/112,779; typically returns small 09/112,816; rapidly to its compared to 09/112,819; normal position. actuator 09/113,095; This rapid return force 09/112,809; sucks in air Long refill 09/112,780; through the time usually 09/113,083; nozzle opening. dominates 09/113,121; The ink surface the total 09/113,122; tension at the repetition rate 09/112,793; nozzle then exerts 09/112,794; a small force 09/113,128; restoring the 09/113,127; meniscus to a 09/112,756; minimum area. 09/112,755; This force refills the 09/112,754; nozzle. 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Shuttered Ink to the nozzle High speed Requires USSN 09/113,066; oscillating chamber is Low common ink 09/112,818; ink provided at a actuator pressure 09/112,772; pressure pressure that energy, as oscillator 09/112,815; oscillates at twice the actuator May not be 09/113,096; the drop ejection need only suitable for 09/113,068; frequency. When open or pigmented 09/112,808 a drop is to be close the inks ejected, the shutter, shutter is opened instead of for 3 half cycles: ejecting the drop ejection, ink drop actuator return, and refill. The shutter is then closed to prevent the nozzle chamber emptying during the next negative pressure cycle. Refill After the main High speed, Requires USSN 09/112,778 actuator actuator has as the nozzle two ejected a drop a is actively independent second (refill) refilled actuators per actuator is nozzle energized. The refill actuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returns slowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positive The ink is held a High refill Surface spill Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink slight positive rate, must be 658 A2 and related pressure pressure. After therefore a prevented patent applications the ink drop is high drop Highly Alternative for: USSN ejected, the repetition hydrophobic 09/112,751; nozzle chamber rate is print head 09/112,787; fills quickly as possible surfaces are 09/112,802; surface tension required 09/112,803; and ink pressure 09/113,097; both operate to 09/113,099; refill the nozzle. 09/113,084; 09/112,779; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,819; 09/113,095; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128, 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Long The ink inlet Design Restricts Thermal ink jet inlet channel to the simplicity refill rate Piezoelectric ink jet channel nozzle chamber Operational May result USSN 09/112,807; is made long and simplicity in a 09/112,806 relatively Reduces relatively narrow, relying crosstalk large chip on viscous drag area to reduce inlet Only back-flow. partially effective Positive The ink is under Drop Requires a Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink a positive selection and method 658 A2 and related pressure pressure, so that separation (such as a patent applications in the quiescent forces can be nozzle rim Possible operation of state some of the reduced or effective the following: ink drop already Fast refill hydrophobizing, USSN 09/112,751; protrudes from time or both) 09/112,787; the nozzle. to prevent 09/112,802; This reduces the flooding of 09/112,803; pressure in the the ejection 09/113,097; nozzle chamber surface of 09/113,099; which is required the print 09/113,084; to eject a certain head. 09/112,778; volume of ink. 09/112,779; The reduction in 09/113,077; chamber 09/113,061; pressure results 09/112,816; in a reduction in 09/112,819; ink pushed out 09/113,095; through the inlet. 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; Baffle One or more The refill rate Design HP Thermal Ink Jet baffles are is not as complexity Tektronix placed in the restricted as May piezoelectric ink jet inlet ink flow. the long inlet increase When the method. fabrication actuator is Reduces complexity energized, the crosstalk (e.g. rapid ink Tektronix movement hot melt creates eddies Piezoelectric which restrict the print heads). flow through the inlet. The slower refill process is unrestricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible In this method Significantly Not Canon flap recently reduces back- applicable to restricts disclosed by flow for most ink jet inlet Canon, the edge-shooter configurations expanding thermal ink Increased actuator (bubble) jet devices fabrication pushes on a complexity flexible flap that Inelastic restricts the inlet. deformation of polymer flap results in creep over extended use Inlet A filter is located Additional Restricts USSN 09/112,803; filter between the ink advantage of refill rate 09/113,061; inlet and the ink filtration May result 09/113,083; nozzle chamber. Ink filter may in complex 09/112,793; The filter has a be fabricated construction 09/113,128; multitude of with no 09/113,127 small holes or additional slots, restricting process steps ink flow. The filter also removes particles which may block the nozzle. Small The ink inlet Design Restricts USSN 09/112,787; inlet channel to the simplicity refill rate 09/112,814; compared nozzle chamber May result 09/112,820 to has a in a nozzle substantially relatively smaller cross large chip section than that area of the nozzle, Only resulting in partially easier ink egress effective out of the nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet A secondary Increases Requires USSN 09/112,778 shutter actuator controls speed of the separate the position of a ink-jet print refill shutter, closing head actuator and off the ink inlet operation drive circuit when the main actuator is energized. The inlet The method Back-flow Requires USSN 09/112,751; is avoids the problem is careful 09/112,802; located problem of inlet eliminated design to 09/113,097; behind back-flow by minimize 09/113,099; the ink- arranging the the negative 09/113,084; pushing ink-pushing pressure 09/112,779; surface surface of the behind the 09/113,077; actuator between paddle 09/112,816; the inlet and the 09/112,819; nozzle. 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,121; 09/112,794; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768 Part of The actuator and Significant Small USSN 09/113,084; the a wall of the ink reductions in increase in 09/113,095; actuator chamber are back-flow fabrication 09/113,122; moves to arranged so that can be complexity 09/112,764 shut off the motion of the achieved the inlet actuator closes Compact off the inlet. designs possible Nozzle In some Ink back- None related Silverbrook, EP 0771 actuator configurations of flow problem to ink back- 658 A2 and related does not ink jet, there is is eliminated flow on patent applications result in no expansion or actuation Valve-jet ink back- movement of an Tone-jet flow actuator which may cause ink back-flow through the inlet.

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Normal All of the No added May not be Most ink jet systems nozzle nozzles are fired complexity sufficient to USSN 09/112,751; firing periodically, on the print displace 09/112,787; before the ink head dried ink 09/112,802; has a chance to 09/112,803; dry. When not in 09/113,097; use the nozzles 09/113,099; are sealed 09/113,084; (capped) against 09/112,778; air. 09/112,779; The nozzle firing 09/113,077; is usually 09/113,061;. performed 09/112,816; during a special 09/112,819; clearing cycle, 09/113,095; after first 09/112,809; moving the print 09/112,780; head to a 09/113,083; cleaning station. 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Extra In systems which Can be Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771 power to heat the ink, but highly higher drive 658 A2 and related ink do not boil it effective if voltage for patent applications heater under normal the heater is clearing situations, nozzle adjacent to May require clearing can be the nozzle larger drive achieved by transistors over-powering the heater and boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid The actuator is Does not Effectiveness May be used with: succession fired in rapid require extra depends USSN 09/112,751; of succession. In drive circuits substantially 09/112,787; actuator some on the print upon the 09/112,802; pulses configurations, head configuration 09/112,803; this may cause Can be of the ink 09/113,097; heat build-up at readily jet nozzle 09/113,099; the nozzle which controlled 09/113,084; boils the ink, and initiated 09/112,778; clearing the by digital 09/112,779; nozzle. In other logic 09/113,077; situations, it may 09/112,816; cause sufficient 09/112,819; vibrations to 09/113,095; dislodge clogged 09/112,809; nozzles. 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Extra Where an A simple Not suitable May be used with: power to actuator is not solution where there USSN 09/112,802; ink normally driven where is a hard 09/112,778; pushing to the limit of its applicable limit to 09/112,819; actuator motion, nozzle actuator 09/113,095; clearing may be movement 09/112,780; assisted by 09/113,083; providing an 09/113,121; enhanced drive 09/112,793; signal to the 09/113,128; actuator. 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Acoustic An ultrasonic A high High USSN 09/113,066; resonance wave is applied nozzle implementation 09/112,818; to the ink clearing cost if 09/112,772; chamber. This capability system does 09/112,815; wave is of an can be not already 09/113,096; appropriate achieved include an 09/113,068; amplitude and May be acoustic 09/112,808 frequency to implemented actuator cause sufficient at very low force at the cost in nozzle to clear systems blockages. This which is easiest to already achieve if the include ultrasonic wave acoustic is at a resonant actuators frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle A Can clear Accurate Silverbrook, EP 0771 clearing microfabricated severely mechanical 658 A2 and related plate plate is pushed clogged alignment is patent applications against the nozzles required nozzles. The Moving plate has a post parts are for every nozzle. required A post moves There is risk through each of damage nozzle, to the displacing dried nozzles ink. Accurate fabrication is required Ink The pressure of May be Requires May be used with ink pressure the ink is effective pressure jets covered by USSN pulse temporarily where other pump or 09/112,751; increased so that methods other 09/112,787; ink streams from cannot be pressure 09/112,802; all of the used actuator 09/112,803; nozzles. This Expensive 09/113,097; may be used in Wasteful of 09/113,099; conjunction with ink 09/113,084; actuator 09/113,066; energizing. 09/112,778; 09/112,779; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Print A flexible Effective for Difficult to Many ink jet systems head ‘blade’ is wiped planar print use if print wiper across the print head surfaces head surface head surface. Low cost is non- The blade is planar or usually very fragile fabricated from a Requires flexible polymer, mechanical e.g. rubber or parts synthetic Blade can elastomer. wear out in high volume print systems Separate A separate heater Can be Fabrication Can be used with ink is provided at the effective complexity many ink jets covered boiling nozzle although where other by USSN 09/112,751; heater the normal drop nozzle 09/112,787; e-ection clearing 09/112,802; mechanism does methods 09/112,803; not require it. cannot be 09/113,097; The heaters do used 09/113,099; not require Can be 09/113,084; individual drive implemented 09/113,066; circuits, as many at no 09/112,778; nozzles can be additional 09/112,779; cleared cost in some 09/113,077; simultaneously, ink jet 09/113,061; and no imaging configurations 09/112,818; is required. 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Electro- A nozzle plate is Fabrication High Hewlett Packard formed separately simplicity temperatures Thermal Ink jet nickel fabricated from and electroformed pressures nickel, and are required bonded to the to bond print head chip. nozzle plate Minimum thickness constraints Differential thermal expansion Laser Individual nozzle No masks Each hole Canon Bubblejet ablated holes are ablated required must be 1988 Sercel et al., or drilled by an intense UV Can be quite individually SPIE, Vol. 998 polymer laser in a nozzle fast formed Excimer Beam plate, which is Some control Special Applications, pp. 76-83 typically a over nozzle equipment 1993 Watanabe et al., polymer such as profile is required U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 polyimide or possible Slow where polysulphone Equipment there are required is many relatively low thousands of cost nozzles per print head May produce thin burrs at exit holes Silicon A separate High Two part K. Bean, IEEE micro- nozzle plate is accuracy is construction Transactions on machined micromachined attainable High cost Electron Devices, Vol. from single Requires ED-25, No. 10, 1978, crystal silicon, precision pp 1185-1195 and bonded to alignment Xerox 1990 Hawkins the print head Nozzles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 wafer. may be clogged by adhesive Glass Fine glass No expensive Very small 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. capillaries capillaries are equipment nozzle sizes 3,683,212 drawn from glass required are difficult tubing. This Simple to to form method has been make single Not suited used for making nozzles for mass individual production nozzles, but is difficult to use for bulk manufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic, The nozzle plate High Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771 surface is deposited as a accuracy (<1 μm) sacrificial 658 A2 and related micro- layer using Monolithic layer under patent applications machined standard VLSI Low cost the nozzle USSN 09/112,751; using deposition Existing plate to form 09/112,787; VLSI techniques. processes can the nozzle 09/112,803; litho- Nozzles are be used chamber 09/113,077; graphic etched in the Surface may 09/113,061; processes nozzle plate be fragile to 09/112,815; using VLSI the touch 09/113,096; lithography and 09/113,095; etching. 09/112,809; 09/113,083; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820 Monolithic, The nozzle plate High Requires USSN 09/112,802; etched is a buried etch accuracy (<1 μm) long etch 09/113,097; through stop in the wafer. Monolithic times 09/113,099; substrate Nozzle chambers Low cost Requires a 09/113,084; are etched in the No support 09/113,066; front of the differential wafer 09/112,778; wafer, and the expansion 09/112,779; wafer is thinned 09/112,818; from the back 09/112,816; side. Nozzles are 09/112,772; then etched in 09/112,819; the etch stop 09/113,068; layer. 09/112,808; 09/112,780; 09/113,121; 09/113,122 No Various methods No nozzles to Difficult to Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et nozzle have been tried become control drop al U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 plate to eliminate the clogged position 1993 Hadimioglu et al nozzles entirely, accurately EUP 550,192 to prevent nozzle Crosstalk 1993 Elrod et al EUP clogging. These problems 572,220 include thermal bubble mechanisms and acoustic lens mechanisms Trough Each drop Reduced Drop firing USSN 09/112,812 ejector has a manufacturing direction is trough through complexity sensitive to which a paddle Monolithic wicking. moves. There is no nozzle plate. Nozzle The elimination No nozzles to Difficult to 1989 Saito et al slit of nozzle holes become control drop U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 instead and replacement clogged position of by a slit accurately individual encompassing Crosstalk nozzles many actuator problems positions reduces nozzle clogging, but increases crosstalk due to ink surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Edge Ink flow is along Simple Nozzles Canon Bubblejet 1979 (‘edge the surface of the construction limited to Endo et al GB patent shooter’) chip, and ink No silicon edge 2,007,162 drops are ejected etching High Xerox heater-in-pit from the chip required resolution is 1990 Hawkins et al edge. Good heat difficult U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 sinking via Fast color Tone-jet substrate printing Mechanically requires one strong print head Ease of chip per color handing Surface Ink flow is along No bulk Maximum Hewlett-Packard TIJ (‘roof the surface of the silicon ink flow is 1982 Vaught et al U.S. Pat. No. shooter’) chip, and ink etching severely 4,490,728 drops are ejected required restricted USSN09/112,787, from the chip Silicon can 09/113,077; surface, normal make an 09/113,061; to the plane of effective heat 09/113,095; the chip. sink 09/112,809 Mechanical strength Through Ink flow is High ink Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771 chip, through the chip, flow bulk silicon 658 A2 and related forward and ink drops are Suitable for etching patent applications (‘up ejected from the page width USSN 09/112,803; shooter’) front surface of print heads 09/112,815; the chip. High nozzle 09/113,096; packing 09/113,083; density 09/112,793; therefore low 09/112,794; manufacturing 09/113,128; cost 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Through Ink flow is High ink Requires USSN 09/112,751; chip, through the chip, flow wafer 09/112,802; reverse and ink drops are Suitable for thinning 09/113,097; (‘down ejected from the page width Requires 09/113,099; shooter’) rear surface of print heads special 09/113,084; the chip. High nozzle handling 09/113,066; packing during 09/112,778; density manufacture 09/112,779; therefore low 09/112,818; manufacturing 09/112,816; cost 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/113,068; 09/112,808; 09/112,780; 09/113,121; 09/113,122 Through Ink flow is Suitable for Page width Epson Stylus actuator through the piezoelectric print heads Tektronix hot melt actuator, which print heads require piezoelectric ink jets is not fabricated several as part of the thousand same substrate as connections the drive to drive transistors. circuits Cannot be manufactured in standard CMOS fabs Complex assembly required

INK TYPE Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous, Water based ink Environmentally Slow drying Most existing ink jets dye which typically friendly Corrosive USSN 09/112,751; contains: water, No odor Bleeds on 09/112,787; dye, surfactant, paper 09/112,802; humectant, and May 09/112,803; biocide. strikethrough 09/113,097; Modern ink dyes Cockles 09/113,099; have high water- paper 09/113,084; fastness, light 09/113,066; fastness 09/112,778; 09/112,779; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Silverbrook, EP 0771 Aqueous, Water based ink Environmentally Slow drying USSN 09/112,787; pigment which typically friendly Corrosive 09/112,803; contains: water, No odor Pigment 09/112,808; pigment, Reduced may clog 09/113,122; surfactant, bleed nozzles 09/112,793; humectant, and Reduced Pigment 09/113,127 biocide. wicking may clog Silverbrook, EP 0771 Pigments have an Reduced actuator 658 A2 and related advantage in strikethrough mechanisms patent applications reduced bleed, Cockles Piezoelectric ink-jets wicking and paper Thermal ink jets (with strikethrough. significant restrictions) Methyl MEK is a highly Very fast Odorous USSN 09/112,751; Ethyl volatile solvent drying Flammable 09/112,787; Ketone used for industrial Prints on 09/112,802; (MEK) printing on various 09/112,803; difficult surfaces substrates 09/113,097; such as aluminum such as 09/113,099; cans. metals and 09/113,084; plastics 09/113,066; 09/112,778; 09/112,779; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Alcohol Alcohol based Fast drying Slight odor USSN 09/112,751; (ethanol, inks can be used Operates at Flammable 09/112,787; 2- where the printer sub-freezing 09/112,802; butanol, must operate at temperatures 09/112,803; and temperatures Reduced 09/113,097; others) below the paper cockle 09/113,099; freezing point of Low cost 09/113,084; water. An 09/113,066; example of this is 09/112,778; in-camera 09/112,779; consumer 09/113,077; photographic 09/113,061; printing. 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Phase The ink is solid at No drying High Tektronix hot melt change room time-ink viscosity piezoelectric ink jets (hot temperature, and instantly Printed ink 1989 Nowak U.S. Pat. No. melt) is melted in the freezes on typically has 4,820,346 print head before the print a ‘waxy’ USSN 09/112,751; jetting. Hot melt medium feel 09/112,787; inks are usually Almost any Printed 09/112,802; wax based, with a print pages may 09/112,803; melting point medium can ‘block’ 09/113,097; around 80° C.. be used Ink 09/113,099; After jetting the No paper temperature 09/113,084; ink freezes almost cockle may be 09/113,066; instantly upon occurs above the 09/112,778; contacting the No wicking curie point 09/112,779; print medium or a occurs of 09/113,077; transfer roller. No bleed permanent 09/113,061; occurs magnets 09/112,818; No Ink heaters 09/112,816; strikethrough consume 09/112,772; occurs power 09/112,819; Long warm- 09/112,815; up time 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; Oil Oil based inks are High High USSN 09/112,751; extensively used solubility viscosity: 09/112,787; in offset printing. medium for this is a 09/112,802; They have some dyes significant 09/112,803; advantages in Does not limitation 09/113,097; improved cockle paper for use in 09/113,099; characteristics on Does not ink jets, 09/113,084; paper (especially wick which 09/113,066; no wicking or through usually 09/112,778; cockle). Oil paper require a 09/112,779; soluble dies and low 09/113,077; pigments are viscosity. 09/113,061; required. Some short 09/112,818; chain and 09/112,816; multi- 09/112,772; branched 09/112,819; oils have a 09/112,815; sufficiently 09/113,096; low 09/113,068; viscosity. 09/113,095; Slow drying 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Micro- A microemulsion Stops ink Viscosity USSN 09/112,751; emulsion is a stable, self bleed higher than 09/112,787; forming emulsion High dye water 09/112,802; of oil, water, and solubility Cost is 09/112,803; surfactant. The Water, oil, slightly 09/113,097; characteristic and higher than 09/113,099; drop size is less amphiphilic water based 09/113,084; than 100 nm, and soluble dies ink 09/113,066; is determined by can be used High 09/112,778; the preferred Can surfactant 09/112,779; curvature of the stabilize concentration 09/113,077; surfactant. pigment required 09/113,061; suspensions (around 5%) 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 

1. A method of creating a garment comprising the steps of: capturing an image of a person using a camera; selecting a card having printed thereon: a depiction of a garment and encoded information relating to said garment depicted; optically reading the encoded information on said card; manipulating the captured image in accordance with the encoded information, thereby generating a manipulated image; and generating print data for one or more garment pieces using said encoded information and the manipulated image, said print data including an outline of said one or more garment pieces and a decorative finish for said one or more garment pieces.
 2. The method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of: communicating said print data to a garment fabric printer.
 3. The method according to claim 2 comprising the further step of: printing said outline and said decorative finish on to a surface of a bolt of fabric.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the print data for the outline includes instructions for joining said garment pieces together.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the printer comprises a printhead having a width corresponding to the width of a bolt of fabric.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said camera comprises an image sensor for optically reading the encoded information. 